The pool of wastewater, exposed through a Phuket News cover story in January (see here) has become even more concentrated during the heat wave and lack of rain in recent months.
Notices have been issued to owners to vacate the buildings along the Surin beachfront, V/Gov Chokdee confirmed.
“The demolitions will begin on April 20,” he said from the city of Boao, in China, where is attending the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2016, which will conclude on Friday (Mar 25).
“Once these building have been demolished, this wastewater will not be an issue,” he added.
The demolitions have been a long time coming, with officials bestowing reprieve after reprieve while they sorted out formalities to ensure any action would be legal. (See story here.)
However, V/Gov Chokdee this week declined to identify which buildings will be demolished.
“All the illegal buildings along the beachfront will have to go,” is all he would say on the matter.
Popular Italian restaurant Cefalu has already closed its doors amid claims that pressure from officials to close and the clearing of beach chairs from the sands as having a devastating effect on trade at Surin Beach.
“In view of the controversial decisions taken by the Phuket authorities to close down all businesses on Surin Beach, and furthermore forbidding chairs and umbrellas on the beach, the number of tourists has dramatically decreased in this last high season,” restaurant management said in announcing its closure. (See story here.)
V/Gov Chokdee laid the blame for the wastewater on the local municipality
“I am worried about the polluted water on Surin Beach, but it is the local municipality’s direct responsibility to solve this problem,” he said.
“It’s simple logic to figure out where the wastewater is coming from. So let’s fix that part. No buildings, means no businesses and no polluted water,” he added.
After Surin Beach, illegal businesses at Lay Pang and Layan Beaches will be next, V/Gov Chokdee warned.
“This will start on April 27,” he said.
In related news, V/Gov Chokdee said that a committee had been formed to oversee the building of a museum at Surin Beach to praise HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
“We will meet about this at the end of this month. After a design has been agreed on, just having the plans drawn up will take three months at least,” he said.